Chile Patagonia sea kayak with YAK EXPEDICIONES, kayaking tours and expeditions in Reloncavi Fjord , Puerto Varas and the Lakes District

The area’s name- Reloncavi or “Rulon Cahui” or “Union of valleys” was first documented by Alonso de Ercilla who, along with Garcia Hurtado de Mendoza first set foot on this land in 1558 during his southern expedition in Chile.

People living on the islands south of Puerto Montt began resettling throughout the riverside of the estuary around 1896 . Years earlier , in 1846 , the eruption of Yates volcano led to the disappearance of several families that lived in the southern Reloncavi estuary.

This expedition starts where Petrohue river meets the Pacific Ocean , the beginning of the First Fjord in Patagonia , the Reloncavi Fjord .

The emphasis of this trip is to enjoy the beauty of our coastline and to get a chance to connect with the local people , the charming localities scattered along the fjord , and the wilderness and nature in a peaceful way, crowned by the Yates volcano.. all this in a selfsupported seakayak expedition.

As we paddle , seabirds , probably sealions and dolphins will apper in our way , a stop to visit Cochamo village and it´s beautiful wooden church, stories of pioneers and hotsprings at the end.

Itinerary

DAY1: After meeting at your hotel in Puerto Varas at 7AM we will start a scenic driving close to the southern shore of Lanquihue lake, with wonderfull views of the huge Osorno volcanoe to the north and Calbuco volcanoe to the south, passing the village of Ensenda and then turning south following Petrohue river till Ralun village , where this river meets the Pacific Ocean , our starting point.

Reloncavi Ford and Yates Volcanoe

Our guide will offer a complete safety talk , information about the logistics of the trip and then a general practice of paddling strokes and rescue . We will have to learn hot to load our kayaks with all the gear we need for the next three days and inmediately we start our adventure trip paddling south, always close to the coast, enjoying every detail.

Reloncavi Fiord in Patagonia

After aprox. 3-4 hours we will rest and stop at Cochamo villlage with time to visit it´s beautiful church, have our deliciious boxlunch and then keep going. Campsite with great views of the fjord and dinner at campsite or with local family learning from their stories. (BL,D)

kayaking till Cochamo village
Day 2: This section is our favourite as we will have Yates volcanoe right in front of us . If it rains , I´m sure we will enjoy the magic transformation of the scenry , mega clouds , huge waterfalls in the mountains , many tiny islands and if the sun appears ...just unforgetable.

Enjoying although it rains

Stop at a beach for boxlunch , then a short hike to a hidden church in the mountains and then ...keep going . As we travel we get to meet the local people in their own surroundings and how they live , plus first hand experience of the local fishing industry.

Collecting mussells at Reloncavi Fjord

After aprox. 5 hours of paddling close to dense rainforest in the coast and some islands , we will be finally arriving at Sotomo Hotsprings , run by a very friendly familly of pioneers, that lives in a huge property , neighbours of Alerce Andino National Park. We will camp close to the sea , in front of Yates volacanoe , and eat with them , having the opportunity to listen their stories and learn about their traditions. In the afternoon or at night , we will go for a short hike in between the forest to this particular natural hotsprings , that appears with the low tide, and located at the end of a protected micro bay, totally surrounded by vegetation.

Family house at Sotomo Hotsprings

DAY 3: After breakfast , with all the stories in our mind , is time to load our kayaks and continue paddling , this time , crossing Reloncavi Fjord to the southern shore where our van will be waiting for us to take us back passing first Puelo river , located at the foothills of Yates volcanoe, then continue driving always close to the Fjord. Lunch and back to Puerto Varas (aprox. 4pm).

Included:

Transportation in private vehicle from your Hotel in Puerto Varas to Reloncavi Fjord and back to Puerto Varas.
Complete Safety Talk and practice of paddling strokes and simulation of a rescue.
Seakayak equipment:
Double seakayak with original rudder, seakayak paddles , lifejacket , sprayskirt , wetsuits and paddling jacket
Camping equipment: 2 person shared tents and group tarp + cooking utensils.
All the food while paddling, from lunch day 1 till lunch day 3 (Day 1: BL=boxlunch, D=dinner / Day 2: B=breakfast, BL=boxlunch, D=dinner at Sotomó Hotsprings with colonos(pioneers)/ Day 3: B=breakfast with colonos at Sotomó Hotsprings, L=lunch).
English speaking seakayak guide , certified by the British Canoe Union of England as a BCU 4STAR Seakayak Award with NOLS Trainningand certified as a Wilderness First Responder.
Satelite telephone, VHF marine radio , celular telephone, marine chart.
Hike and bath at Sotomo Hotsprings (day 2).
Camping and 1 night eating with colono´s familiy at Sotomó Hotsprings.
Visit Cochamó village and it´s beautiful church
Limited insurance while seakayaking (chilean company)

Seakayaking Expedition to Reloncavi Fjord (3 days)